CONDITIONS have remained quite reasonable for all types of angling around Skipton as the relatively dry weather has continued.

River levels have kept just above normal and the only downside has been an upstream wind, cooler nights and more leaves beginning to fall.

Grayling have been the main species to be caught on the River Aire where catches of up to 12 fish per outing have been easily achieved. Almost all of them have been caught on the nymph or the dry fly when a rise has been evident. No specimens have turned up lately and the best fish have tipped the scales to around the 450g (1lb) mark.

The river has also been in good order for pike fishing but unfortunately those that have wet a line have reported poor or non-existent sport at the moment.

The upper reaches of the Skipton water at Heslaker Lane definitely seem to be short of pike at the moment which is probably not a bad thing as far as the trout, chub and grayling are concerned.

Approximately 12 years ago the pike fishing on this stretch had reached its zenith with plenty of fish running up to over 9100g (20lb). Big chub to over 2270g (5lb) were also relatively common but grayling and trout became rather thin on the ground.

This imbalance resulted in the pike dying off through starvation and the chub through old age. The trout and grayling once again regained their numbers and eventually size to provide the good fish that are caught today. Chub numbers are also in the process of recovery.

Down the river at Snaygill the biggest pike went the same way as their relatives upstream but far more of the smaller fish survived to provide the sport enjoyed on this length today. Fish to over 8180g (18:0:0) have been landed in the past year along with plenty more around the 4500g (10lb) mark.

The record pike for the Skipton AA water is a fine fish of 10200g (22:8lb), landed by Ryan Preston of Hellifield, from just below the railway bridge. Pike to near the 13640g (30lb) mark have been caught lower down the Aire around Utley in the not too distant past.

The fourth Skipton Winter League match will be fished this Sunday on the canal at Snaygill Boats, Keighley Road, Skipton, with draw from 8am.